Q1. What is an AudioBlog?

A1. My ‘AudioBlog’ is like a normal blog, but there are two key differences.

First, my articles are not opinion pieces. Rather, they are grounded in Work and Business Psychology (officially known as Industrial and Organizational Psychology and shortened to I/O Psychology). Where reasonable, I include links to research or other forms of evidence so that readers can feel more confident about what they are reading or listening to.

Second, my blog is now more accessible to people who want to benefit from the content but would prefer to listen instead of reading. This is useful for people who have visual impairments or want to listen while commuting, exercising, folding laundry, or whatever.  In addition, if you’re browsing the AudioBlog on a mobile device or certain website browsers, you can use your voice to search the content by tapping the little microphone in the search box.

Q2. What topics do you AudioBlog about? Do you always write/speak about work-related issues?

A2. In my mind, “work-related” includes many things:

• Reaching our potential by making the most out of our skills, experience, and interests
• The hiring and promotion process (from the HR and employee perspective)
• Leadership – regardless of a person’s job title
• Entrepreneurship/side hustles
• Harassment and bullying
• Workplace culture
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and anti-racism
• Mental health and wellness
• Time management and productivity
• Training and development

I write about these topics because they match the challenges that my clients’ experiences. Often, when working on my clients’ behalf, I do research and a lot of thinking/preparation. A good way to consolidate some of this accumulated wisdom is to write about it in a way that protects my clients’ identity. Now that there are so many articles, they are searchable by category, popular keywords, or even using your voice*.

Q3. You work in a nuanced professional niche. Also, the topics you address are often progressive and overlooked elsewhere.

A3. As a result of my career path which started with a PhD in Work and Business Psychology, 15+ years working as a Psychologist in roles that were aligned with HR and Career Development, and 7 years and counting in the private sector as an HR Consultant, Career Coach, and Executive Coach I have a rare perspective. I’ve worked in the public and private sectors and consulted for non-profit organizations. On the personal side, with parents and other relatives who immigrated to Canada from Ghana and Jamaica, I understand the newcomer experience despite being born in Canada. As a Black woman, I have a first-hand understanding of what it’s like to be a person of colour and the unique challenges that present as one navigates the world personally and professionally.

For some people, paying attention to issues that include workplace culture, harassment, bullying, diversity and inclusion, underemployment, etc. seems progressive. For others, these topics are fundamental because they have a powerful impact on their day-to-day existence. Many of my clients choose to work with me because they know that I understand issues that others downplay or don’t know how to work around. A portion of these insights shows up on my blog.

Q4. Why did you create an AudioBlog?

A4. For the past 6 to 12 months I’ve grown accustomed to listening to audiobooks and podcasts. I love being able to learn new things and hear different perspectives while driving, on a train or plane, walking, while loading the dishwasher, folding laundry, or whatever. I also enjoy listening to music but hearing about interesting topics while also doing other things has been an unexpected pleasure.

As someone (currently) without corporate sponsors, the idea of launching my own podcast was impractical. But, now that I have over 180 blog articles, I thought that making my existing and future content more accessible to people who prefer to listen instead of reading would be an excellent alternative. This also honours one of my core values: inclusion.

I’m thrilled that my webmaster has figured out how to make my written blog also function as an AudioBlog. He’s an innovator so I’m confident that over time, he’ll find ways for me to create playlists that cover specific topics (or other options) so that people can listen in even more convenient ways.

If you have any feedback or there are topics you’d like me to address in future AudioBlog articles, I invite you to contact me privately by phone (I offer a no-obligation, free 15-minute initial phone consultation), email, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.

Note * – at the time of publication, the voice search feature works best on Android devices using Google Chrome, or on a desktop when the Chrome browser window isn’t full screen. Simply tap the microphone icon in the search box and say what you’re looking for. The technology is always evolving. This voice search feature will only get better over time.

More than career coaching, it’s career psychology®.

I/O Advisory Services Inc. – Building Resilient Careers and Organizations.™

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